Use operating schedule for spaces when performing an energy analysis.
This video demonstrates the following:
When conducting an energy analysis on your design, consider incorporating an operating schedule into the space elements to enhance the accuracy of the analysis. Operating schedules, which can be allocated to factors such as occupancy, power, and lighting, are assigned to space elements. This video will help you understand how to assign a default operating schedule and create a customized one.
Operating schedules are applied according to space type. Begin by selecting a space that has been placed in your model and locate the 'Space Type' parameter in the Properties Palette. Click the dialog launcher to open the 'Space Type Settings' dialog. Here, you'll find a range of default space types that can be assigned to your space. For instance, if you're designing a community gathering space, you might choose 'Audience/Seating Area – Religious'.
In the right panel, you'll observe the values that will be used for this particular space type during the energy analysis. These include Occupancy, Lighting, and Power schedules. Your task here is to either verify or modify the occupancy schedule being used. Click the dialog launcher next to the occupancy schedule parameter.
In the 'Schedule Setting' dialog, you'll notice 'Large Assembly Hall' considers the space occupied for each day of the week. Upon selecting the daily setting, you can view the projected occupancy for each hour of the day.
For the purpose of this tutorial, let's create a custom occupancy schedule for this space. Click the 'New' icon under 'Year Schedules' and name it 'Sunday Service'. Following this, create a new daily schedule. Click the 'New' icon and name it 'Service Days'. You can set the hourly occupancies in the table provided.
With the day selected, click and drag on the calendar to assign the day schedule to the highlighted days. In this instance, every Sunday of the year is selected, and 'off' is selected for all other days of the year. Click 'OK' twice to assign the schedule to the space.
In most cases, you'll find a default schedule that suits your space's usage. However, if this isn't the case, you can customize the schedules to accurately represent the way your space is used in your design.